The Life You’re Chasing is right Behind You

Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing). — Qur’an 3 [Al-Imran]:185

Photo by Evie Shaffer on Unsplash

All through my sojourn in life, I’ve realized there are two basic lifestyles which people strive to live. Both ways deserve commitment, compassion and compromise:

1. The Transactional Lifestyle
2. The Transformational Lifestyle

The transactional lifestyle like the name implies involves the exchange of value, goods and services. This lifestyle is very important, but it’s not the basic purpose of life. It reflects on how you stock groceries in the house, the mansion you build, clothes you wear, and the way you enjoy your life. The vast majority of humans focus on the transactional life and thereby neglect their personal transformation. It’s a selfish kind of lifestyle based upon getting the most you possibly can in exchange for little. It’s all about you, and what you can get.

Sadly enough, this isn’t how you develop a powerful relationships with anyone. Let alone relationship with your creator who fashioned you and provides your needs. You don’t always get what you want through transactions. Many people are carried away living a transactional life neglecting the afterlife which is built upon transformation. It’s quite pathetic that many don’t even achieve their dreams while pursuing this lifestyle. Allah describes this lifestyle in a few words thus:

The mutual rivalry (for piling up of worldly things) diverts you until you visit the graves (I.e .. till you die). Nay! You shall come to know! Again nay! You shall come to know. Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge (the end result of piling up, you will not have occupied yourselves in worldly things). — Qur’an 102[At-Takathur]: 1–5

Transformational lifestyle on the other hand begins with a realization, a selfless service with an end in mind. It can start out as a transaction but it goes far beyond basic exchange of value and commodities. By nature, transformational lifestyle is about giving the most you possibly can in attempt to please your creator. It’s about submissiveness and steadfastness in return for God’s pleasure and reward. A few among the people view such a lifestyle as norm, the vast majority think people of such are extremist.

Your life isn’t transformational if it doesn’t change you first. Then you must make conscious effort to bring benefit to the people as well. Transformation is realizing your basic purpose of creation — to worship Almighty God! You also tend to worship God based upon your relationship with people. Obedience to parents, kindness to neighbors, helping the needy…these are all actions that reflect from a transformational lifestyle. It isn’t seeing yourself to be better and others as inferior. Allah tells us about this:

Beautified is the life of this world for those who disbelieve, and they mock at those who believe. But those who obey Allah’s Orders and keep away from what He has forbidden, will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allah gives (of His Bounty, Blessings, Favours, Honours, etc. on the Day of Resurrection) to whom He wills without limit. — Qur’an 2[Al-Baqarah]:212

7 ways to Live the Transformational Lifestyle

1. Keep absolute trust in God, worship Him sincerely and never ascribe partners with Him.
2. Be contented. Let a little satisfy you and do not be ruined by greed. Know that what will reach you will never pass you and what passed you was never meant to reach you.
3. Realize life is a test, so use it blissfully. The result will either lead to reward or punishment.
4. Strive your utmost to be better everyday. Don’t settle for less!
5. Express gratitude to God for the little things and ask Him more for the bigger things.
6. Be good to people even if they are bad to you. For there is no reward for good beyond goodness.
7. Whatever challenge life gives you, remain patient and steadfast. For patience is the solution to all life trials.

At the end of the day, you’d realize life is all vanity. So live a transformational life of purpose on purpose.

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